Christians on arbtalk?

[RobArb]

“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of particular interest. But for us, it’s different. Consider again that dot. That’s here, that’s home, that’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

 

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

 

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

 

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

 

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”

 

- Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of particular interest. But for us, it’s different. Consider again that dot. That’s here, that’s home, that’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

 

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

 

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

 

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

 

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”

 

- Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot

 

good post kiddo:thumbup1:

 

I dunno set you off on a tangent today did we!

[Andy Collins]

I don't see a few questions, in a balanced and open discussion, are unfair to anyone. IMO this has been one of the most interesting discussions to date, which hasn't deteriorated into a slanging match. I don't believe there are right and wrong answers here, as it is down to each individuals personal choice.

One bug bear i have with christianity is why on earth is it every one I meet insists on trying to convert me to their way of thinking? I don't need "saving" and if I do need "saving" I'd prefer my "saviour" to be someone I can at least see.

[Mark Bolam]

I'm Christian.

 

I was christened in a church, married in one, and one day will have my funeral in one.

 

I do go to church occasionally, usually with my parents back home at Christmas, Easter etc., but can hardly say I'm practising.

 

I believe there is something else out there, and some kind of afterlife, just what I personally believe, I have no proof!

 

Forcing religion on people offends me. I think of it more as a personal, private thing. I don't need some huge sandwich board outside a church telling me what to believe in.

 

I would never try and preach to others about what they should or shouldn't believe in.

 

Rich makes a very valid point about not getting wed in a church. It's amazing how many people discover religion for a few weeks when they want to bag the best wedding venue in town!

 

Live your life according to your beliefs, and let others get on with theirs.

[Mark Bolam]

I came across this the other day. Seems fitting to put it here. [ATTACH]87412[/ATTACH]

 

BTW Sparko, mint mate!

[Rich2484]

Karma rules all...

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I dont remember anyone preaching thus far?

[easy-lift guy]

I don't see a few questions, in a balanced and open discussion, are unfair to anyone. IMO this has been one of the most interesting discussions to date, which hasn't deteriorated into a slanging match. I don't believe there are right and wrong answers here, as it is down to each individuals personal choice.

One bug bear i have with christianity is why on earth is it every one I meet insists on trying to convert me to their way of thinking? I don't need "saving" and if I do need "saving" I'd prefer my "saviour" to be someone I can at least see.

 

I agree Andy this has been very interesting and thread with some opinions different than others and others pretty much alike. FYI you are the saving type so get use to it, if you were a little meaner and not so nice and considerate of others and such you would not be picked on so much:lol:, your not allowed to see your saviour becuse that is not in the hand book. Your cursed so live with it.

easy-lift guy

[predator]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BX-lfK5JLI]Cosmic Voyage (excerpt) - YouTube[/ame]

this is how small we really are please watch and listen

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Karma rules all...

 

its true, least thats where my faith lies:thumbup1: